Amsterdam asks for support in electricity grid support
The demand for electricity in Amsterdam is fast fast. Demand for this electricity infrastructure in Amsterdam will double over the next 10 years. Unfortunately, strengthening the network does not always keep pace with the growth in demand for capacity. Bottlenecks on the electricity grid threaten to endanger housing construction, the energy transition and the economic development of Amsterdam. The municipality has sent a letter to the government to help resolve this situation.
The electricity grid in Amsterdam has reached maximum capacity in 4 areas earlier than expected, or will soon reach the limit. In the past 3 months, network manager Liander has translated code red or code orange 4 times for part of the power grid in Amsterdam. Code red means that there is no capacity for companies to use a lot of power to connect to the power grid. This is also the case with code orange, but no possibilities can yet be explored to use the demand for electricity through congestion management.
No last for small consumers
Liander indicates that we can expect years later on the net. Connections for small-scale consumption, such as homes, small shops, offices and regular charging stations, will not be affected. It also has no consequences for the return of electricity via sustainable generation, such as solar panels.
No dormitories
Since 2014, Amsterdam has built an average of 6,900 homes per year. We want to maintain this pace. In a part of Noord where code red has been announced, we want to build 25,000 homes in the coming years. Capacity has been reserved for this housing development. But due to the size of the electricity network, Liander consumers, such as schools, supermarkets, catering establishments of healthcare institutions, cannot connect to the network for 5 to 7 years. We do not want to build dormitories with people, but without facilities. This causes the construction of these homes to experience delays. And so there are more areas in Amsterdam where the nature of the electricity grid hinders the construction of homes.
Sustainable
In addition, we want to speed up the process of making the city more sustainable. For example, we invest millions of euros to get rid of natural gas. This is in line with the national Climate Agreement and the European Green Deal.
fire letter
Without the support of the government, housing plans, economic development and the energy transition will be at stake. The municipality of Amsterdam and Liander cannot solve the pressure on the electricity grid. In the attached fire letter, we give a suggestion of possible solutions and we ask the government to take action.